Lectures On The Origin And Growth Of Religion: As Illustrated By Some Points In The History Of Indian Buddhism

It would be a hopeless task to attempt in six lectures, that is to say, in six hours, to give any adequate account of that great movement which has influenced the greater portion of the human race during the lapse of so many centuries. It is a matter of great joy to discuss these points in the history of Buddhism which likely to throw light on the origin and growth of religious belief. This means, the author understands it, the origin and growth of religion outside, as well as inside, the circle of the Buddhist beliefs themselves. What we have to do is, in a word, to apply a particular method, the comparative method, to the study of the facts revealed to us by the history of Buddhism. There are ideas in Buddhism, no doubt, with which we can heartily sympathies; but the most instructive points in the history of that, or of any other religion, are often those with which we can least agree. The fact that truth can be found among all peoples and in all creeds, has been acknowledged through so many centuries by men eminent in the Church and out of it, that it has become almost a truism, and needs scarcely to be stated, certainly not to be proved. Based on these points the celebrated Buddhist scholar has compiled this rare yet valuable book which is illustrated by some points in the history of Indian Buddhism.